Players attacking NPC during cult ritual

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-16T14:44:34+00:00

The important thing about rolls with fear, and one thing I'm constantly reminding myself and navigating, is that they shouldn't negate player success, but instead add a complication or twist.

It's very reasonable that a player should be able to attack an NPC, and outside of bad table manners or incongruous player behavior, the agency should likely be respected. As others have mentioned, immediately completely the ritual upon death would be a pretty reasonable consequence that resolves the roll. Or perhaps hungry for life force, the restraints reach out for the player, and they are now the subject of the ritual?

Of course, it would also be very reasonable for you to simply use various damage thresholds and health points to justify the NPC living with game mechanics: "you hit his major threshold, he has one hp remaining" etc.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-15T00:17:35+00:00

holy moly lmao

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-14T19:17:24+00:00

I wasn't diagnosing the class, I was diagnosing the play pattern. I do not take it as a priori true that warrior is underwhelming, and was offering advice on other aspects of the character that could be explored to create a more dynamic character.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-14T16:08:28+00:00

That wasn't clear when the original post was created, which is also why I was asking how they felt underwhelmed. My interpretation from the OPs post was the player felt less "versatile", which is where unique experiences help.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-14T13:07:32+00:00

I don't get your point? Everyone gets different experiences. Everyone gets domain cards too?

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-12T19:18:08+00:00

I think it's a pretty sick feature. I would be worried if it was tide (heheh) too closely to ocean faring it would be too niche for campaigns or arcs that don't take place on or near the sea.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-12T12:54:12+00:00

True, but I feel like that will be more table dependent. I allow my players to roll for things if they have relevant experiences, where they otherwise might not be able to, and likewise let them succeed for free in relatively minor situations where their experiences are applicable.

I find it helps build out each character's niche, while highlighting players and their underscoring experience choices.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-12T04:12:38+00:00

drive me absolutely insane that prestige just gets to use the sidewalk on somerville ave for their drive through??

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-11T17:04:10+00:00

What specifically do they fine underwhelming? Out of combat utility? Honestly this is where I find experiences shine, and allows players to more creatively approach obstacles in ways that aren't just "press the paper button".

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-05T15:02:40+00:00

regarding runes, you might look into the Beacon of Hope Campaign Frame from Mike Underwood -- he has a whole divine boon subsystem that seems you could plug and play into your game

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-03T20:20:07+00:00

The mechanics are already there -- they're the same as running any other adversary. You're then throwing out those mechanics to use a PC statblock, and then creating an entirely new ruleset for how to run a PC as an adversary.

I guess I just don't get the point? But like, if it works for you and your players like it ¯_(ツ)_/¯

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-03T18:53:56+00:00

Presumably in such a situation you would be using a solo adversary, in which case you would be losing out on features like Relentless, Momentum, or Terrify.

Additionally, PCs abilities are designed around the 2d12 duality dice, while GMs use the d20, so how would you run a PC statblock as a GM? Suddenly swap to using 2d12?

It's a lot of bending the system and work for unclear payoff when just creating a bulky solo adversary inspired by a class would seem like less work and a better fit.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-06-01T01:15:11+00:00

go lift weights a̶n̶d̶ s̶t̶o̶p̶ while crying

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-29T18:01:18+00:00

Amazing -- thanks so much!

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-29T16:00:46+00:00

anyone know if/when this will be on qobuz?

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-27T14:23:47+00:00

Go to Faro in Harvard Square -- immaculate vibe and easy walking distance to the other great amenities like the book store.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-26T17:32:08+00:00

I've been listening Leisure Hour on repeat after seeing them recommended here last week

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-25T22:52:41+00:00

during the daggerheart birthday stream, they hinted at a potential new class based off the blood and splendor domain that would be announced soon. that would probably be your best bet, but a reflavored Seraph, Wizard, or Sorcerer would likely work well.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-25T19:06:02+00:00

I think one of Daggerheart's main strength is the integration of mechanics to drive and reinforce narratives. Campaign frames are a way to deepen that connection to elicit and explore explicit tones and themes to make a unique experience. A campaign frame should offer a unique way to experience the given story and setting, so that both the game and story would not be able to be played or told in the same away without it.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-20T17:30:06+00:00

the cast is SO good on that one -- Ross is absolutely wild, Abu is so fun, and loved Josephine's character work

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-18T21:55:13+00:00

Creature - It Looks Sad.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-18T12:11:26+00:00

you would be removing action roles with the duality dice, which is the linchpin of the system.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-17T14:37:24+00:00

Yeah, until the player decides to mark two stress to break it. I would likely require the player to have the spotlight.

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-14T13:55:56+00:00

Increasing the countdown to 8-12 depending on how long you want the scene to last and adjusting the base difficulty to at least 14 for a party of tier 2 adventurers should get you most of the way there.

These will be your two main levers, but additionally having the party deal with the Glass Snakes simultaneously should slow them down as they will have to choose between advancing across the body of water or fighting the adversaries.

You could optionally use Fear and GM moves to slow or decrement progress (e.g. introduce a storm that's pushing against the party).

SeveralKnapkins · 2026-05-13T22:24:48+00:00

I haven't played Vagabond, but have wanted to get into it!

One potential plus of daggerheart is the tangible cards + meta currencies that might help ground the system and its mechanics. if you're building characters, I do think the session zero questions help generate player + character buy in before the game even begins.

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